International Flights to, from Mangaluru airport cancelled, diverted; All details here
Air India Express temporarily suspends flights to gulf
Mangaluru: Several international flights operating to and from Mangaluru International Airport scheduled for Saturday, February 28,2026 were cancelled or diverted following the closure of Iranian airspace amid escalating tensions in West Asia after joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran.
According to airport officials, flight IX 831 (IXE–DXB), scheduled for departure on February 28, returned to the bay shortly after departure following confirmation of airspace restrictions. Flight IX 821 (IXE–DOH), operating on February 28 was diverted to Mumbai due to the same reason. Flight 6E 1467 operating on the IXE–DXB sector for today, February 28 was also cancelled.
Officials also confirmed that flight IX 831 (Mangaluru-Dubai) scheduled to take off Mangaluru on Saturday, February 28 afternoon was formally declared cancelled at around 3 pm, after which all 174 passengers and six crew members were deplaned at the airport.
Here’s the complete list of flights cancelled on February 28:
* IX822 DOH-IXE (Doha-Mangaluru) 8: 45 PM Arrival
* IX832 DXB-IXE (Dubai-Mangaluru) 10: 10 PM Arrival
* IX831 IXE-DXB (Mangaluru-Dubai) 01:20 PM Departure
* IX847 IXE-DMM (Mangaluru-Dammam) 11:10 PM Departure
* IX813 IXE-DXB (Mangaluru-Dubai) 8:15 PM Departure
* IX851 IXE-KWI (Mangaluru-Kuwait) 10:05 PM Departure
* IX815 IXE-AUH (Mangaluru-Abudabhi) 11:20 PM Departure
* 6E1467 IXE-DXB (Mangaluru-Dubai) 7:15 PM Departure
Airport authorities in a statement urged passengers to remain in touch with airlines for real-time updates as international airspace restrictions continue to evolve.
Air India Express suspends gulf flights
Low-cost carrier Air India Express has temporarily suspended its flights to the gulf sector owing to the tensions and airspace closure.
In a statement issued on Saturday, February 28 the airline urged passengers to check the latest status of flights.
Meanwhile, according to the Associated Press, the United Arab Emirates closed its airspace on Saturday following the strikes. Reports also indicated that Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain had taken similar measures after explosions were reported in Iran.
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18 dead, 6 critically injured in Andhra Pradesh cracker unit explosion
Vetlapalem (Andhra Pradesh) (PTI): Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha said 18 people died and six were critically injured in the cracker unit blast here in Kakinada district on Saturday.
The intensity of the explosion at Vetlakpalem village in Samarlakota mandal was so strong that the bodies were flung into nearby paddy fields, said a police official.
"So far, we have information that 18 people were killed and six critically injured. I am on my way to the spot," Anitha told PTI
An investigation is going on into the cause of the fire, which led to the blast, police officials said.
Kakinada Government General Hospital superintendent said the hospital received seven patients with burns ranging from 90 to 100 per cent. He said they are under treatment.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed sadness over a large number of cracker manufacturing workers losing their lives at Surya Fireworks, said an official press release.
"The explosion at a crackers manufacturing unit at Vetlapalem village in Kakinada district has really pained me. Multiple people losing their lives in this accident is sad," said Naidu in a post on X.
Horrifying scene played out amid lush green paddy fields as locals were seen shifting bodies in 'barakalu', sheets made of fertiliser bags.
Fire and smoke emanated from the blast site, and an ambulance rushed to rescue the injured.
Naidu said he spoke to officials over the accident and directed them to extend immediate help to the victims.
We are monitoring the rescue efforts and will come to the aid of the affected families, he said.
Up to 20 people were working in the crackers unit when the blast occurred.
Naidu directed senior officials and ministers to visit the accident site.
Police have deployed drones to locate body parts that were flung into nearby agricultural fields.
